Background: The House Sparrow (Passer domesticus L.), is a human-commensal bird species, belonging to the order Passeriformes. The rapid changes in our lifestyle resulted in the decrease of this bird population during the past four decades. Among the various causes viz., lack of food resources, pollution pressure, indiscriminate usage of pesticides etc. Habitat loss is found to be one of the main threats for their rapid decline. Installation of artificial nest boxes was found to be the best alternatives for raising the bird population. 
 
Methods: Jangareddigudem of West Godavari district, Andhra Pradesh, India, was chosen as the study area. The nest boxes were designed by incorporating certain modifications to the basic model specified by British Trust of Ornithology. Installation of the nest boxes was initiated from an area with moderate food resources, located towards south-west edge of the town and was expanded in to other areas in a latitudinal wise towards north and south directions. Data was collected on a regular basis to study the occupancy of the nest boxes by the house sparrows. 
 
Result: The model designed was proved to be protective from predators and also well accepted by the public. Out of 570 nests that were installed in the study area, 550 nests were occupied and being used for breeding, that comes to around 97.6% occupancy indicating the suitability and protectiveness of this model. The sparrow population in the study area has been increased with a count of sparrows from few to 300+ sparrows at each roosting site (two roosting sites) by the end of 2020 by utilizing the nest boxes.&nbsp;

Protective Nest Design for Indian House Sparrow (Passer domesticus L.) - with Reference to Predation and Reuse

<div>Background: The study on the preen gland of Kamrupa, White leg horn and Daothigir fowl of Assam is of great value in regard to protection of skin and feather of avian species. The aim of this study was to evaluate the micro and macro anatomical observation of preen gland of integument system. 
 
Methods: The present study was conducted on the preen gland of fifteen healthy, adult birds of Kamrupa, White leg horn and Daothigir fowl of Assam in Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India for period of one year from 2020-2021. Those fowl were procured from different parts of Assam. The birds were sacrificed according to the method of <a href="#gracey_1968">Gracy (1968</a>). After sacrifice, preen gland were removed very carefully from the base of the tail of fowl. After collection, the tissue samples were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin solution, and were processed as per the standard technique of procedure (<a href="#luna_1968">Luna, 1968</a>). The paraffin blocks were sectioned in Shandon Finesse microtome at 5 &micro;m thickness and the sections were stained with Mayer&rsquo;s Haematoxylin and Eosin staining technique for Cellular details as per the standard method of <a href="#luna_1968">Luna (1968</a>).&nbsp; 
 
Result: In present investigation, it was observed that, macroscopically, the preen gland or oil gland or rump gland or uropygial gland of Kamrupa, White leg horn and Daothigir fowl of Assam was situated on the dorsal aspect of the base of the tail. Microscopically, the preen gland of Kamrupa, White leg horn and Daothigir fowl of Assam was bounded by connective tissue capsule. The interlobular connective tissues were observed among the secretary tubules of the gland. The preen gland parenchyma composed of secretary tubules; duct that formed trabeculae, which were differentiated by inter tubular connective tissue.</div>

​​Comparative Micro and Macro Anatomical Observation on Preen Gland of Kamrupa (Gallus domesticus), White Leg Horn (Gallus domesticus) and Daothigir Fowl (Gallus domesticus) of Assam

<div style="text-align: justify;">Morphological and morphometrical study of pelvic limb bones from adult birds viz., ostrich (n=4), emu (n=6), domestic fowl (n=8) and duck (n=8) were carried out. Pubic symphysis was a distinctive feature of os coxae in ostrich. Medial surface of ilium was united to lumbosacral mass in ostrich and emu, whereas, only medial border made fusion in domestic fowl and duck. Post acetabular ilium was an elongated triangle in ostrich and emu, whereas, quadrilateral plate in domestic fowl and duck. Iliac fossae for kidneys were lacking in ostrich and emu. Ischium was a long rod in ostrich and emu. Ilio-ischiatic notch was present in ostrich and emu, while, ilio-ischiatic foramen was found in domestic fowl and duck. Caudal extremity of pubis was free in all the species studied excluding ostrich. Ostrich and emu exhibited a distinct pneumatic foramen on femur which was lacking in domestic fowl and duck. Length ratio of femur to tibiotarsus was 1:1.75, 1:1.88, 1:1.38 and 1:1.69 in ostrich, emu, domestic fowl and duck correspondingly. Lateral cnemial crest was a large tuberosity in ostrich; whereas, in other species it was a thick curved spine. &nbsp;Hypotarsus was in the form of spine in ostrich and emu. Bony spur of tarsometatarsus observed in male domestic fowl was lacking in the other species. Distal extremity showed two trochleae in ostrich, whereas, three trochleae, in the other species. Ostrich is the only didactyl bird with two digits. Emu possessed three digits, while, domestic fowl and duck possessed four. Our present study revealed pneumatic femur, longer tibiotarsus and tarsometatarsus and less number of digits in ostrich and emu. &nbsp;Reduction in number of phalanges also led to reduce the number of muscles and tendons associated to digits. The above mentioned features may aid ostrich and emu for high-speed locomotion.</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Comparative morphological studies of the pelvic limb bones in ostrich (Struthio camelus), emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae), domestic fowl (Gallus gallus domesticus) and duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus)&nbsp;</div>

<div>Background: The agro-climatic condition of Assam is suitable for duck rearing. Duck rearing contributes a major part to uplift the socio-economic condition of the rural poor people of Assam as well as others states located in the coastal regions of India. The Pati duck (Anasplatyrhynchos domesticus) population constitutes a major indigenous non-descript economically important duck variety in the state of Assam. The Harderian gland acts as a part of the Head Associated Lymphoid Tissue (HALT) <a href="#olah_1992">Olah et al. (1992)</a> and provides local innate immunity to the upper respiratory system, to the eye and oral cavity. Since literature on the postnatal development of Harderian gland of Pati duck is scant, hence the present study was designed to establish the basic anatomical details on Harderian gland at different stages of postnatal development of Pati duck of Assam.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The present study was conducted on total forty five (45) numbers Pati duck of Assam at different stages of postnatal development. The experimental birds were brought to the Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-22 and was sacrificed according to the method of <a href="#gracy_1986">Gracy (1986)</a>. After slaughter, the birds were placed on a clean dissecting table and skin and fascia were reflected carefully without disturbing the other organs of the head region. The Harderian gland was collected by opening the orbital cavity. Thereafter, length, breadth and thickness of the Harderian gland of all age group were recorded with the help of the Vernier Callipers <a href="#mcCance_1974">(McCance, 1974)</a> and topographical location of the gland was observed. The weight of the Harderian gland of all age group was also recorded with the help of electronic balance.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The Harderian gland of Pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) was located &nbsp;within the orbit. The gland was flat, oval and coma shaped with irregular border. The gland had two surfaces i.e. the parietal and visceral surfaces, two borders and two blunt poles. The parietal surface was found convex and attached to fascia covered by the nasal bones and interorbital septa. The visceral surface was concave and it was attached loosely to the eye ball with fascia. The lobes of the Harderian gland became more prominent with the advancement of the age. The gland was light pink in colour. The arterial blood and the venus drainage was by provided by the ophthalmic artery and vein, respectively. The slender branch of oculomotor nerve innervated the Harderian gland. The result reflected an ascending trend from 0 week age group to 42 week age group in regard to all the gross parameters. There were slight difference between left and right glands for all the gross parameters but such variations were not statistically significant (P&gt;0.05). Each lobe of the Harderian Gland of Pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) had a single short duct which opened into the conjunctival sac at the base of the 3rd eyelid.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Post Natal Gross Anatomical Studies on the Harderian Gland of Pati Duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) of Assam</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">The present study was designed to assess the teratogenic effects of Chlorantraniliprole on chick embryos (Gallus gallus domesticus). Different doses of commercial Chlorantraniliprole (0.1, 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5&micro;l/1000&micro;l/egg, in four experimental groups B, C, D, and E respectively) were injected into the yolk sac of eggs before incubation. Embryos were recovered at day 12 of incubation. The mortality rate gradually increased from lower to higher doses. A total of twelve morphometric parameters viz., wet body weight, crown rump length, anterior posterior head diameter, eye diameter, beak length, neck length, humor length, radius and ulna length, metacarpus length, femur length, fibula length and metatarsus length were recorded and compared with control group. These quantitative parameters indicated significant (p&lt;0.05) decreases in all treated groups compared to control group. While the qualitative anomalies such as microcephaly, hydrocephaly, edematous swelling, hematoma formation, abnormal body coloration, microphthalmia, deformed beak, agnathia, micromelia, amelia, omphalocele and ectopia cardis were also observed in treated groups as compared to untreated groups. Therefore it is concluded that Chlorantraniliprole has potentially harmful effects on the development of avian embryos even at very low dose concentration. Hence, due to toxicity of this pesticide it can be used with utmost caution.&nbsp;</div>

Teratogenic Effects of Chlorantraniliprole on chick embryos (Gallus gallus domesticus)

<div>The present study was designed to assess the teratological effects of Indoxacarb on chick embryos (Gallus gallus domesticus) by administering different doses of commercial Indoxacarb (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5ml/1000ml/egg, in three experimental groups B, C and D) injected into the yolk sac of eggs before incubation. Embryos were recovered at day 12 of incubation. The mortality rate gradually increased from lower to higher doses. A total of twelve morphometric parameters viz., wet body weight, crown rump length, anterior posterior head diameter, eye diameter, beak length, neck length, humerus length, radius and ulna length, metacarpus length, femur length, fibula length and metatarsus length were recorded and compared with control group. These quantitative parameters indicated significant (p&lt;0.05) decrease in all treated groups compared to control group. While the qualitative anomalies such as microcephaly, hydrocephaly, edematous swelling, hematoma formation, abnormal body coloration, anophthalmia, microphthalmia, deformed beak, agnathia, wry neck, micromelia, amelia, omphalocele and ectopia cardis were also recorded in treated groups as compared to untreated groups. Therefore, it is concluded that Indoxacarb has potentially harmful effects on the development of avian embryos even at very low dose concentration. Hence, due to toxicity of this pesticide it must be used with utmost caution.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Teratological Effect of Indoxacarb on Chick Embryos (Gallus gallus domesticus)</div>

<div>Background: Meat is a rich source of protein, especially broiler chicken, which is greatly preferred by consumers compared to other meat varieties because of its low cost and religious acceptance. The main objective of the present study was aimed to develop ready-to-cook meatballs from broiler chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) stored in a refrigerator (4&deg;C) and deep freezer (-18&deg;C) for up to 21 days. 
 
Methods: The ready-to-cook chicken meatballs were analyzed for biochemical, physicochemical and sensory properties for a period of up to 21 days. 
 
Result: The biochemical parameters of ready-to-cook chicken meatballs were analyzed and the results showed that the moisture, protein, fat and ash contents were decreased and there was no significant difference during refrigerated and frozen conditions for the period up to 21 days. The microbial parameters were observed in ready-to-cook chicken meatballs. The total plate count was within the spoilage limit and other microbes such as Escherichia coli, yeast and moulds were absent in all the samples. The sensory evaluation of ready-to-cook chicken meatballs was good during refrigerated and frozen conditions for a period of up to 21st days.</div>

Development of Ready-to-Cook Meatballs from Broiler Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus)

<div>Doxycycline HCL is a member of the tetracycline family of antibiotics. Extensive use of the antibiotic (Doxycycline HCl) in poultry for treatment of various bacterial diseases is increasing with time. The current trail was therefore formulated and conducted to investigate the embryotoxic aspects of Doxycycline HCl on Gallus domesticus. Different doses of Doxycycline HCl (0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 3.0&micro;g/100&micro;l distilled water/egg in six experimental groups (B, C, D, E, F and G respectively) were inoculated into the yolk sac of 60 eggs (10 eggs per group) before incubation. Group A was control group (injected with distilled water). Chick embryos were studied at 12th day of incubation. The results showed significant (p&lt;0.05) increase in death rate of chick embryos with increasing dose. At the end of the trial, morphometric measurements viz., wet body weight, crown rump length, eye diameter, beak length, neck length, anterior posterior head diameter, humerus length, radius and ulna length, metacarpus length, femur length, fibula length and metatarsus length were also noted and compared to untreated group. A significant (p&lt;0.05) difference was observed among all quantitative parameters in experimental groups compared with negative control group except metacarpus and metatarsus length which showed non-significant (p&gt;0.05) difference. Additionally, qualitative malformations like microcephaly, hydrocephaly, edema, hematoma, abnormal body coloration, anophthalmia, microphthalmia, deformed beak, agnathia, wry neck, micromelia, amelia, meromelia, damaged auditory meatus, omphalocele and ectopia cordis were noted in experimental groups as compared with untreated groups.&nbsp;</div>

<div>Embryotoxicity of Doxycycline HCl in Gallus domesticus: Morphometric Changes and External Anomalies</div>

<div>Background: The farmers are rearing duck in small scale in semi intensive system without investing more capital but it contributes a major part to uplift the socio-economic condition of the rural poor people of Assam. The Pati duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) population constitutes a major indigenous non-descript economically important duck variety in the state of Assam. The Harderian gland acts as a part of the head associated lymphoid tissue (HALT) and provides local innate immunity to the upper respiratory system,&nbsp;to the eye and oral cavity. Since literature on histological study of Harderian gland of Pati duck is scant, hence the present study was designed to establish the basic histological details on Harderian gland at different stages of postnatal development of Pati duck of Assam. 
 
Methods: The present study was conducted on total forty five (45) numbers Pati duck of Assam at different stages of postnatal development. The experimental birds were brought to the Department of Anatomy and Histology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati-22 and was sacrificed according to the method of Gracy (1986). For histological study the tissue samples from the Harderian gland of all the age group were fixed in 10% neutral buffered formalin solution and processed to prepare paraffin blocks as per the procedure described by Luna (1968). The paraffin blocks were sectioned in Shandon Finesse microtome in 5 &micro;m thickness and the sections were stained by different methods as described by Luna (1968).&nbsp; 
 
Result: The Harderian gland of Pati duck had a capsule, the thickness of the capsule of the Harderian gland was increased slightly along the advancement of the age. The capsular connective tissue penetrated the parenchyma of the Harderian gland in the form of septa. The collagen, reticular, elastic and nerve fibers were observed along with the capsule and as well as in the septa. The Harderian gland of the Pati duck was compound tubular gland. The columnar epithelial cells lined the tubules. There was no cortex and medulla in the gland and the tubular structure were uniformly distributed within the lobules. A central canal was present in the gland which converged to the duct of the gland. The lymphocytes, plasma cells were found in the intertubular connective tissue. The numbers or population of plasma cell and lymphocytes were accelerated by the advancement of age. The myoepithelial cells with spindle shaped nucleus were present near the basement membrane close to the secretary cells. The histology of the duct of the Harderian gland of Pati duck was like that of typical hollow tubular organs. There were few lymphatic nodules very distinctly present extended from the lamina propria to the muscle layer.</div>

Histological Study of the Harderian Gland of Pati Duck (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus) of Assam during Postnatal Development

<div>Background: Swine is a very important commodity that contributed to the country&rsquo;s food security by providing about 60% of the total animal meat consumption of the Filipinos. Feeds comprise a major expense in swine production and searching for possibly better and cheaper alternatives is urgent to have high quality but economical animal feeding. 
 
Methods: The study aimed to evaluate the growth performance of grower pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus L.), nutritional and microbial contents of wet and fermented commercial ration with different levels of wood vinegar as follows: T0: 0% wood vinegar (WV) per liter Plain water (PW) (3000 mL PW) (control), T1: 2% WV per liter PW (60 mL WV: 2940 mL PW), T2: 5% WV per liter PW (150 mL WV: 2850 mL PW). Data gathered were analyzed using ANOVA and LSD to compare treatment means by STAR version 2.0.1. 
 
Result: A significantly higher (p&lt;0.05) bi-weekly cumulative feed intake (BWCFI) and bi-weekly cumulative body weight gain (BWCBWG) were noted on grower pigs given wet and fermented commercial hog ration with different levels of WV during week 4 and no significant differences during weeks 2, 6 and 8. No significant differences were noted on ADG and FCR throughout the study. A significantly higher profit was noted on grower-pigs given wet and fermented commercial hog ration 5% WV inclusion. Moreover, no differences in microbial and nutritional contents were noted on fermented feeds. Regardless of treatments, the wet and fermented commercial hog ration revealed the same microbial content present to enumerate as follows: Yeast, Lactobacillus and Streptococcus.</div>

<div>Growth Performance of Grower Pigs (Sus scrofa domesticus L.), Nutritional and Microbial Contents of Wet and Fermented Commercial Hog Ration with Different Levels of Wood Vinegar</div>